Severe storms to barrel through the Upper Midwest on Sunday night

The hot, dry pattern engulfing the central U.S. will falter in the Upper Midwest on Sunday as storms track across the region.

A system stalled in the central Plains will allow for an area of unsettled weather to form, tapping into the hot and humid surface to spark strong storms.

“An intense line of thunderstorms that developed in central South Dakota late Saturday night will race eastward on Sunday, bringing damaging wind gusts and torrential downpours to a corridor from eastern South Dakota through central Minnesota and into northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said.

“Cities such as Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Marquette, Michigan, lie within the threat area.”

These powerful storms will move eastward across the area relatively quickly, limiting chances for flash flooding.

Though the fiercest part of the storms may be short-lived in any given location, the effects could still be devastating.

“In some cases, winds may gust as high as 75-90 mph and threaten to cause significant property and roof damage, as well as knock down large trees and power lines,” Elliott said.

To limit property damage, cars and outdoor furniture should be covered or brought inside ahead of any storms.

“Those with outdoor weekend plans in this area will want to pay close attention to weather reports to avoid being caught outside in a thunderstorm,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Jordan Root added.

Torrential downpours will drop visibility to near zero, putting those caught on the road in peril.

“Motorists should be prepared for rapidly changing roadway conditions and pull over if conditions become too dangerous to drive in,” Elliott said.

While strong winds will pose the greatest threat in any storms, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

“The risk for injury increases at night when people are sleeping, since severe weather alerts go unheard. Residents living within the threat area should keep a weather radio nearby through Sunday night,” Elliott said.

Residents should seek shelter away from all windows on the bottom floor of a sturdy building should threatening weather approach.